A/N: Now this is where the fun begins in this story. As always, thank you guys for all the support on this story! Hope you have a happy Saturday :D
Summary: Padme Amidala built bridges with people, especially with her 4th grade students. When new student Ahsoka joins her class, she is ready to start building a bridge to the young girl. Anakin Skywalker doesn't trust easily, especially when his little sister is involved. But he's drawn to the 4th grade teacher and willing to trust Padme with the darker battles his family is facing.
Chapter Five
Wednesday
As the clock struck 3:30, Padmé and Ahsoka exchanged a knowing look, it appeared Anakin was on pick up duty. Two weeks had passed since their first date, followed by many others to the point where the two had even discussed being a couple. Both were hesitant for their own reasons, but each made their desire to be a couple known. The two of them would talk more about it Friday night for their next date, which Padmé was excited for. She had seen Anakin on two dates this week already, though he hadn't picked Ahsoka up this week. So she was pleased with the idea of him coming. She was also pleased that she would get to play another game of Space Chess with Ahsoka.
"Guess Skyguy's getting me today," Ahsoka said as she started to walk to the classroom, "Space Chess?"
Padmé grinned as she walked beside her student, "Of course."
Ahsoka cheered as she picked up her walk to jog down the hall, excited to get the game started. Ms Amidala was her favorite teacher ever and loved to spend time with her outside of class. At first, Ahsoka hated having to be at school any longer than necessary, but Ms Amidala made learning fun and actually seemed to care about her. It made Ahsoka feel good that her teacher wasn't just worried about her schooling, but also worried about her and wanted to make her feel better when she was down. Staying after school had turned into a pleasant activity. Plus, she seemed to make her brother really happy.
"I think I've got a new strategy that will totally catch you by surprise," Ahsoka said as she pulled out the game.
Padmé took off her coat as she replied, "Oh is that right?"
Ahsoka started to set up the board, "Definitely. Cody thought it was pretty good and unorthorocks- wait no, unorthodox."
Padmé took her seat as she chuckled, "Good vocabulary word."
Ahsoka grinned proudly, "Yeah. Cody has been a drill sergeant about vocab words lately, but I don't mind. Especially with the Spelling Bee coming up. I'm going to win that prize after all."
"Glad to see you excited about it, I'm sure you'll do great," Padmé said, her smile kind.
The board had just been set when Anakin came into the room, not subtle or smoothly, but quick and out of breath. Padmé and Ahsoka turned to look at him each with a grin though Padmé's quickly faded. Instantly, she could tell something was wrong. His hair was messier than usual, his eyes had a wild and almost frantic look in them that set Padmé on edge. Ahsoka didn't seem to notice.
"Hey, we were just about to start our game," Ahsoka smiled, "Want to watch us-"
"I can't we need to go, get your stuff now," Anakin said sharper than he intended to.
Ahsoka pouted, "Why? We just got here."
"Yes and now it's time to go," Anakin told her, voice stern, he looked to Padmé as she stood from her seat and his gaze softened, "Sorry to cut this short, but we really need to leave."
Padmé walked over to him, "Is everything alright?"
Anakin didn't answer right away, he nodded, "Yeah we just have to leave."
"Why," Ahsoka asked with a frown coming to his side, backpack at her feet and jacket in hand.
Anakin got onto his knee and quickly helped Ahsoka put her jacket on, "Ahsoka, please. Don't argue with me right now."
Ahsoka didn't say anything to that, she zipped up her jacket with a frown.
"Anakin," Padmé started, but he didn't reply.
Anakin got back onto his feet, Ahsoka's backpack in hand and rushed her out of the room, but Padmé couldn't let him just rush out with giving her something. Not when her fear was pumping through her veins. Anakin hurriedly guided Ahsoka down the hall where Obi Wan stood just outside waiting for them. Padmé stopped at the door frame that led to the hall where she spotted Obi Wan standing there just past Anakin. His eyes found hers quickly, a grave expression on his face that only made Padmé worry more. She couldn't let Anakin go just yet, she needed something.
"Anakin," Padmé called, her tone desperate and worried, she needed something.
Anakin stopped in his quick walk just in front of Obi Wan, he glanced behind to look at her and his expression was more than pained. He said something to Ahsoka and Obi Wan. The head of house glanced behind him, but nodded nonetheless before bring Ahsoka outside. Anakin turned around and made his way back over to her. Once Anakin stood before, she could see and practically feel all the fear coming off of him that he was struggling to hide.
"It's her father," Anakin said, a little breathless, "He's actually been released."
Padmé blinked in surprise, her heart stopped, "Released? On parole?"
Anakin licked his lips, agitation coated his word, "Like a free man walking this earth coming for my sister. I have to go."
"Yes, I understand, go now," Padmé said quickly.
Anakin didn't say anything back or seem to acknowledge her words as he turned away from her to catch up to Obi Wan and Ahsoka. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, fear and anger being the most prominent ones that he could feel. This couldn't be happening, things were going well, but now this had thrown a wrench in their plans. Losing Ahsoka was not an option, he wouldn't let anything happen to her, but he was terrified that he would fail. Just when he had opened up about what was going on, things took a terrible turn.
Anakin stopped at the end of the hallway, he looked to see Obi Wan was on the phone while Cody was helping Ahsoka get in the car. All four of them being here was more than enough to tip off Ahsoka, but none of them cared. They all needed to be around her right now and with the news, she was going to need them. Anakin turned around one final time to look back at Padmé, she was still watching him with concern. With a quick breath, he closed the distance between them once again.
"I know you're going to want to help, but now there isn't anything to be done," Anakin told her, his blue eyes holding her gaze, "But I will call when things settle down. Does that sound fair?"
Padmé took his exposed hand in her own, "More than fair. It's going to be okay."
Padmé brought her other hand to his neck, pulling him down slightly so that her forehead pressed against his own. In response, Anakin cupped her cheek with his gloved hand as he let out a shuddering breath. He shut his eyes as he let this moment take over him for a moment, letting the reassuring feeling that he was not alone give him comfort and settle the storm in him that had no signs of stopping. When his eyes opened, he found her eyes were open as well staring at him. Swirls of chocolate studies him, filled with concern and care. He took that moment to memorize the shape of her face, the soft feeling of her skin, the smell of her tropical perfume.
Padmé watched as all kinds of emotions flashed across his face, however her focus was on the shine of his eyes followed by the hitch of his breath. Fear, he was more than afraid by the news and Padmé could understand that. There wasn't much she could offer him besides this moment, but to let him know that she was here for him in whatever way he needed. Padmé leaned forward and pressed a feather light kiss to his cheek. In response he let out a sigh, one of mild relief. Without a word, Anakin raced away from her and she stood in the hallway, unable to move for several minutes. God she hoped everything would be alright, she hoped more than anything that they would be alright.
Ahsoka stood in front of her brothers, arms folded across her chest. Something big must have been going on for all her brothers to come get her from school and for Anakin to look this frantic. He was always expressive, but he usually didn't look that worried about things. Those were the first two tips for Ahsoka that something wasn't quite right. While her mind was spinning with possibilities, she had a feeling it revolved around her dad. But she hoped it wasn't.
Obi Wan had called a family meeting, so all five of them and Satine were in the living room sitting around, except Ahsoka who had an annoyed look on her face. However after a brief standoff with Obi Wan, she took a seat next to Anakin who looked better than he did earlier, but she didn't like the concern on his face.
"So, anyone want to explain why you're all acting crazy," Ahsoka asked as she leaned against Anakin.
He put his arm around her, "Don't we always act crazy? Didn't you say we were insane and belonged in a mad house?"
Ahsoka shoved at him with a smile, "I mean crazier than usual."
A grave silence had settled over the family as each person struggled to think of how they should break the news to her. This wasn't going to be easy, each one knew that, but now that they were, it was even harder for anyone to find the words.
When no one spoke, Ahsoka added, "Whatever it is, I can handle it. I'm not just some little kid."
Across from Anakin and Ahsoka was Obi Wan, Satine sitting beside him with a reassuring hand on his back. He didn't want to tell her this, he didn't want to be the one to break the news to her. As he looked at her, Obi Wan found himself not seeing a ten year old, but still that small toddler who called him 'Obi'. But she wasn't just a small child anymore, at ten years old she was mature for her age though she definitely had her immature moments. This was something she could handle, but that didn't mean she should hear them. She was growing up, she had been growing far too quickly to his liking, but it couldn't be helped. Life went on.
"Ahsoka, you know how Anakin and I have shared custody of you, that we've been trying to shift it," Obi Wan started, his throat felt tight.
Ahsoka smirked, "Yeah, trying to make me all Anakin's problem."
Obi Wan let out a laugh, but it was more of a sharp breath, "Yes, well we have a new development in that case."
Ahsoka frowned, she looked at Anakin, "Based on everyone looking like someone spit in their cereal, I'm guessing it didn't go through. So we just have to try again."
"Not exactly Snips," Anakin told her, his eyes looked sad, "Remember grandfather said he wanted more visitation?"
Ahsoka nodded, but didn't say anything. That whole visitation shouldn't have been a big issue, but her nerves were growing restless and she didn't like where this conversation was headed. Anxious, she tugged on her white and blue striped hat.
Anakin gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze as he went on, "Well, he's filed for custody rights."
"Oh, that's not too bad. You guys will just beat him," Ahsoka said with a slight breath, not as bothered, she jumped to her feet, "He has nothing. Plus didn't he lose last time? So I don't see why you guys are acting so worried."
Anakin took her small hand in his own, pulling her attention back to him. As he did so, it brought a memory to him of the day she was born. How he had been the first of his brothers to hold her, the first of his brothers to hold his finger out to her and her little hand wrapped around it. He always vowed he would protect her, he would never let anyone hurt her.
"What is it," Ahsoka asked him with a frown, "You're starting to freak me out. Just say it Skyguy."
"Your father's been released from prison," Anakin said evenly, "We don't know where he is, but we know it's only a matter of time before he shows up. And when he does show up, we are more than certain he'll file for custody as well. You're really popular Snips."
The quip didn't reach her ears. Ahsoka stood rigid in her spot, eyes wide at the news. So that's what this was all about. She had suspected, but hadn't wanted to believe it to be possible. No, that couldn't be true. She didn't hate her dad, he wasn't the worst man in the world, but she didn't want to live with him. After what had happened, she only wanted to be with her brothers and no one else.
But she knew how courts worked. While they were supposed to be in the best interest of the kid, biological parents almost always had better chances of gaining custody of their kids. Ahsoka knew that for sure. Her social worker, Plo Koon, had explained it to her in a meeting one day, but Ahsoka hadn't been bothered. Her brothers were biologically related to her so there shouldn't have been any problems. This shouldn't be a problem, but all she could think was what if it was?
"What," Ahsoka whispered trying to process the news.
"This doesn't change things, we are still in the best position to have you," Obi Wan said, bringing the young girl's attention to him.
Satine added, her clear eyes kind and certain, "Neither he nor your grandfather have good standings, it's going to be fine Ahsoka."
Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest, a scowl on her face, "Okay, so he's out of prison and you guys think that if he files for custody, he could win? Or better yet, he'll just show up. That'll be a real treat."
"He's not taking you anywhere. I won't let him," Anakin said sharply, determined and strong.
Ahsoka looked at him, "It's still possible that he could. And you can't pretend that it isn't."
"Regardless, he's not going to get past us," Rex told her, stern and confident.
"I won't go with him," Ahsoka said sharply.
"And we're going to make sure you won't have to," Anakin said earnestly, hands on her shoulders.
Cody nodded in agreement, "They're right. You won't have to go anywhere."
A fierce look flashed across Ahsoka's eyes, anger burned in her chest. Her eyes looked to Obi Wan to see what he was thinking. Whereas Anakin and Rex would only focus on her staying, Obi Wan was the one who thought of worst case scenarios and came up with plans for them. If he wasn't worried, then Ahsoka knew she didn't have to worry about anything. But he didn't look confident, he looked tense. He saw things from every different angle. If he thought her dad had a chance...
"Obi Wan, if he went to the courts, do you think he could win," Ahsoka asked him. His expression told her all she needed to know.
"Ahsoka," Obi Wan started getting to his feet to move closer to her, she stepped back away from him and Anakin.
"You think he could win," Ahsoka said, her gaze was angry.
A heavy silence settled over the room. Everyone in the room wanted to deny it, to tell Ahsoka that her father had no chance, but that would be a lie. With what they knew of her father's release, they knew his standings were better than expected. Though he wished otherwise, Obi Wan believed their step father had a shot. No matter how small it was, there was a chance.
"Should he file for custody and go to court… there is a chance he could win. Small, but still real," Obi Wan answered, his eyes were clouded.
Big blue eyes usually filled with such light that shined bright against her skin were now filled with fear and anger. She wanted the truth, but she wished that wasn't it. Ahsoka looked around the room, her breathing picked up slightly at the thought of not being able to stay with her brothers, at the thought of having to leave them. She didn't want to leave them, she wanted to stay. Anger and fear swirled in her, she clenched her hands into fists.
"No," Ahsoka said shaking her head, "I don't care what any stupid court says, I won't go with him!"
Before any of her brothers could say anything Ahsoka raced out of the living room and ran up to her room, her feet pounding being the only noise anyone could hear along with the slamming of a door. The rest of the family remained rooted in the living room, not sure what else they should. While Anakin had made a move to follow her, Obi Wan had stopped him. His look said it all, Ahsoka needed some time alone.
"That went about as we expected," Cody commented softly.
Rex agreed with him.
Anakin ran his fingers through his hair, "We shouldn't have told her."
Rex frowned at him from his seat by the fireplace, "It was either she found out now while we have time or just before the inevitable comes."
Obi Wan spoke with a solemn expression, "She needed to know. This release came sooner than anticipated, likely we should have told her of the possibility sooner then this wouldn't have come as quite a shock."
"This isn't something that she should even have to worry about," Anakin ground out.
It was too much. Ahsoka could handle a great many things, she was strong willed and no one had her kind of determination. But she was ten. Ten year old girls should be worried about sleepovers, silly bands, boy bands and not fearing that their once convicted father could take her away from the people who actually loved her. Well Anakin supposed that wasn't fair since her father did care about her, but that didn't mean he should be her primary caretaker. No, that job belonged to him.
Satine spoke gently, "It's a good thing she has each of you to help her through it."
Anakin took a heavy breath as he looked up at Satine and Obi Wan, he glanced at his brother, "We still have that meeting with the lawyers?"
Obi Wan nodded, "Yes, if we leave now we can get there on time."
Anakin nodded absently. Obi Wan and Satine made their way to the door so they could go, but Anakin hesitated to follow them just yet. He turned his head to look at the direction where Ahsoka had run off too, likely in her room playing music too loud.
"We've got her," Cody assured Anakin with a nod.
Anakin didn't say anything. Instead he walked out of the living room to the garage, Satine and Obi Wan just behind him. This left Cody and Rex alone in the living room wondering what they should do next. The news of their father being released from prison had been a shock despite knowing it was a possibility. It had been years since their father was arrested and brought to prison, when custody of them and Ahsoka had been transferred to Obi Wan and Anakin.
As time went on, it seemed it was only a matter of time for the day that Anakin would have permanent custody of Ahsoka. Their grandfather had been trying to get her since their father's arrest. Though he had tried for Rex and Cody as well, he put more effort into Ahsoka as the twins were close enough to being legal adults that by the time it could have been passed, they wouldn't be minors anymore. Ahsoka however still had some years to go.
"Don't you think it's interesting that just after our grandfather decided he wants to see Ahsoka more and wants to file for custody, our father gets released from prison," Rex said with a dark undertone.
Cody didn't look at his brother as he replied, "It is. Do you think they planned this?"
Rex raised an eyebrow, "I hope not. The idea of them working together rubs me the wrong way."
"It is possible though," Cody said thoughtfully, "As much as I hate to say it… there's a chance they are working together. It explains the timing and we both know it lined up too well to be just a coincidence."
Rex wasn't sure what he could say to that, so instead he said nothing and let his mind wander. They wouldn't let anything happen to Ahsoka, she wouldn't be taken from them, not now, not ever.
Wednesday, 8:07
Padmé had been beside herself with worry, jumping every time her phone buzzed, hoping that it was Anakin telling her everything was fine, but each time she was disappointed. Soon as she got home, she had tried everything and anything to get her mind off it, but she just couldn't do it. The way Anakin looked at her, the fear in his eyes had been more than overwhelming. And Padmé was worried about Ahsoka, wondering how the young girl had taken the news. Ahsoka was such a bright student, so smart, sometimes too smart for her own good. To know this was the battle she had to face made Padmé's heart ache.
Whenever she learned that her students were suffering, it always made Padmé upset because she only wanted them to be focused on kid things, to worry about their spelling test, about getting to the swings first on the playground. But life didn't care about that. Dressed in her leggings and an oversized t-shirt, Padmé had decided to make camp on her couch and let the mindless tv shows play. A re-run of the Real Housewives of Naboo was playing now, but she was hardly paying much attention to it. All her thoughts went out to Anakin, went out to Ahsoka, to Obi Wan, to Rex and Cody and Satine as well. Helpless was an emotion Padmé hated, she wished there was something, anything she could do.
As she took a sip of her water, timid knocks sounded on her door. At first she hadn't been sure the knocks were on her door, however when they came again, this time a little stronger, she knew it wasn't the television. Padmé glanced at the time, it was 8:17 and she couldn't think of anyone who would be at her door. Sola had stopped by earlier, but if she was coming back she would have sent a message. A bit uneasily, she rose from her seat in the living room and made her way over to the door.
When she looked through the peephole, she didn't see anyone, but decided to open the door anyway. Padmé pulled the door back to see no one until she looked down. Before her stood ten year old Ahsoka Tano, tears falling down her cheeks, dressed in grey sleep pants, wearing her blue and white striped hat and a dark blue t-shirt that said 'I can do anything, but I'm tired now' on it.
"Ms Amidala," Ahsoka sputtered out.